How Autoselecta works
How to buy a car from a Japanese auction
Explore how we safeguard you at every step on the journey to your dream car.
About Autoselecta
Buying from Japanese auctions made easier
We remove the complexity of overseas auctions. From verification and bidding to payment and delivery, Autoselecta manages the entire process on your behalf, securely and transparently. No language barriers, no foreign systems, no guesswork.
Access to a large inventory of vehicles
Gain access to thousands of vehicles listed across Japan’s major auction houses. From performance icons to rare collector models, our curated listings are updated daily, giving you more choice than traditional dealerships ever could.
Free consultation and vehicle sourcing
Looking for something specific? Our team can help you source the right vehicle based on your budget, preferences, and goals. We provide honest guidance, auction insights, and realistic cost expectations before you commit to bidding.
Buy with confidence
We work closely with auctions to ensure the details of every vehicle are accurately verified and outlined.
Detailed descriptions
We provide all the key information you need, from the vehicle’s history with the seller to its standout features and collectability.
Support and transparency
Still have questions after reviewing the listing? Message our team; we’re here to help at every step.
Buying a car
How Autoselecta works
- 01
Create your free account
Browse the live auctions and past sale prices freely. A free account lets you save cars, get a reminder before bidding closes, read translated auction sheets and place a bid.
- 02
Explore vehicles
Browse daily auction listings including our highlighted selections, or enquire about a specific vehicle and we will help you find it.
- 03
Choose your car and set your budget
Review the vehicle details and use our pricing calculator to understand the total costs before bidding.
- 04
Activate your bidding account
To place a bid, you will need to complete account verification. A deposit is then required to activate bidding.
For a maximum bid up to £30,000, the deposit is £2,000, held on your Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card and only taken if you win. Above that it is 10% of your maximum, by bank transfer, and sent straight back if you don’t win. Our fees are separate.
- 05
Place your bid
Enter your maximum bid before 9pm UK time on the evening before the auction. Our agent in Japan will represent your bid in the live auction and aim to secure the vehicle at the lowest possible price within your limit. Japanese auctions move quickly, often completing in under 60 seconds.
- 06
Auction result
If your bid is successful, your vehicle is secured in Japan and we will start the import process. If you don’t win, the hold on your card is released and nothing is taken (a bank transfer deposit is sent straight back).
After the hammer falls
What happens after you win
- 01
Vehicle secured in Japan
Your vehicle has been successfully secured at auction. Our agent has confirmed the purchase and the post-auction process begins immediately.
- 02
Balance paymentDue within 5 days
Now your vehicle is secured, your deposit is taken and applied towards what you owe. The remaining balance must be paid within 5 days to allow the process to continue without delay.
- 03
Export preparation7 to 14 days
Your vehicle is prepared for export and transported to the shipping yard. You will receive further images of the vehicle being loaded into the container or onto RoRo. Documentation is processed and the vehicle is scheduled for shipment.
- 04
In transitDepends on your country
Your vehicle is now on its way from Japan. How long it takes depends on where you are and the sailing: to the UK it is typically 10 to 14 weeks, and we give the time for your country with your delivered quote. You will receive shipping updates and tracking information throughout the journey.
Delays can occasionally occur due to shipping schedules or port conditions, but you will be notified if there are any changes. Transit time to other destinations worldwide varies.
- 05
Arrival and clearance
Your vehicle arrives at the destination port and enters the import process. This includes unloading, customs clearance and preparation for the next stage.
- 06
Preparation and compliance
Vehicles may need minor changes to meet the rules where you live, such as lighting or a speedometer conversion. We tell you what your country requires before you bid.
- 07
RegistrationVaries by country
Your vehicle is prepared for registration in your country. In the UK this typically takes around 4 weeks after clearance; elsewhere it depends on the local authority.
- 08
Ready for delivery or collection
Your vehicle is now ready. We can arrange delivery to your address at an agreed cost, or, in the UK, collection from our premises in Cheltenham at a convenient time.
Our fees
Autoselecta uses a fixed service fee based on vehicle value
| Hammer price | Service fee |
|---|---|
| Under £10,000 | £1,500 |
| £10,000 to under £100,000 | £2,000 |
| £100,000 and over | £3,000 |
Autoselecta fee covers auction representation, export and shipping coordination, and in the UK the MOT test and registration. Delivery to your door is quoted separately.
Condition
How auction grades work
Japanese auction grades are one of the most important parts of buying a vehicle directly from Japan, helping buyers understand a car’s condition before bidding.
Auction grades and markings give you a clear and honest view of a vehicle before you bid. Every vehicle is independently inspected, with all damage, repairs and condition clearly recorded. At Autoselecta, we provide full translated reports and transparent pricing so you know exactly what you are buying.
Auction grades
Auction grades provide a quick, standardised summary of a vehicle’s overall condition. Assigned by independent inspectors, these grades take into account exterior, interior, and mechanical condition, giving buyers a reliable snapshot before reviewing the full inspection report.
Interior grades
Interior grades focus specifically on the condition of the cabin, including seats, trim, and general wear. This simple A–C scale helps you quickly understand how well the interior has been maintained, from near-new condition to more noticeable signs of use.
Exterior markings
Exterior markings provide a detailed breakdown of a vehicle’s cosmetic condition, highlighting scratches, dents, repairs, and areas of wear across the body. Each code corresponds to a specific type and severity of imperfection, allowing you to quickly understand what to expect before viewing the full inspection report.
Dent and scratch size guide
The dent and scratch size guide helps you understand the scale of visible damage on a vehicle’s body. Each code indicates both the size and severity, from small imperfections that are barely noticeable to larger areas that may require repair.
Windscreen
Windscreen markings focus specifically on glass condition, identifying chips, cracks, or previous repairs. From small, repairable stone chips to damage that may require replacement, these codes ensure complete clarity before you bid.
| Grade | What it means |
|---|---|
| S / 6 | Essentially new. Under a year old with delivery mileage. Rare at auction and priced accordingly. |
| 5 | Exceptional. Very low mileage, no meaningful wear. Presents as close to new for its age. |
| 4.5 | Excellent. Typically under 100,000 km with only light cosmetic marks. A strong everyday buy. |
| 4 | Good. Average wear for age and mileage. Minor scratches and dents, mechanically sound. |
| 3.5 | Fair. Visible cosmetic faults and higher mileage. Usually needs some tidying on arrival. |
| 3 | Rough. Significant wear, likely panel damage or corrosion. Budget for repair work. |
| 2 | Poor. Heavy damage or corrosion throughout. Generally a parts or project car. |
| R / RA | Repaired or modified. Panels have been repaired or replaced, or the car has been modified: a body kit, aero parts or a carbon wing can earn an R or RA on their own. Not necessarily an accident car; the inspector’s notes and the photos say which. |
Questions
Frequently asked
What happens when I win an auction?
If your bid is successful, your vehicle is secured at auction in Japan. Your deposit is taken and applied towards what you owe, and the remaining balance must be paid within 5 days to allow the process to continue without delay. Once payment has been received, we begin export preparation, arrange shipping, and manage the full journey through to delivery. You will receive updates at each stage, including shipping details and tracking information.
How does the deposit work?
To place a bid you pay a deposit: £2,000 for a maximum bid up to £30,000, held on your Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card (not American Express or Diners Club), or 10% of your maximum above that, paid by bank transfer by noon UK time the day before the auction. Each car’s page shows the deposit before you bid. This deposit confirms your intent to purchase and ensures all bids placed on Autoselecta are genuine. The deposit is only required when you are ready to place a bid.
What happens to my deposit if I do not win?
If you do not win, the hold on your card is released and nothing is taken. A bank transfer deposit, for bids over £30,000, is sent back to the account it came from, usually within two working days.
Why is a deposit required?
The deposit ensures all bids are genuine and prevents false or speculative bidding. This allows our agents in Japan to bid with confidence on your behalf and maintain strong relationships with auction houses.
How do I arrange shipping and what are the costs?
You do not need to arrange shipping. We handle the entire process for you, with marine insurance, to the port nearest you, and quote it before you bid. For the UK it is worked out for each car in our import cost calculator and shown in every landed estimate. Oversized vehicles are quoted separately. We also handle export in Japan, customs clearance and delivery coordination.
What taxes and import costs do I need to pay?
For UK buyers, import duty and VAT are worked out on every car’s page and in the cost calculator before you bid. Buyers in other countries see their country’s import rules on each car, and we quote the landed cost to their port on request.
Ready to look?
Browse this week’s auctions, or speak to the team directly on WhatsApp at +44 7908 911 247.